Research Associate in Statistics

Cardiff University - Cardiff School of Mathematics - Research

Placed On: 17th February 2026
Closes: 17th March 2026
Job Ref: 21319BR

We are seeking a Research Associate in Statistics to join the Statistics and Data Science team in the School of Mathematics at Cardiff University.

Cardiff University has been awarded a major EPSRC grant to develop AI methods that support intelligence analysis in national security and defence. The project, AI Intelligence Triage & Acquisition Support for Human-centred Analysis (AiTASHA), brings together an interdisciplinary consortium including the Universities of Warwick, Southampton and Dundee, and the Alan Turing Institute, working closely with UK government defence and national security partners.

AiTASHA aims to improve the speed and defensibility of intelligence assessments by developing AI tools that complement, rather than replace, human analysts. Analysts must routinely make high-consequence decisions from vast, complex and uncertain data under significant time pressure. The project advances the state of the art across explainable multi-modal deep learning, causal statistical modelling, human–machine teaming and AI ethics.

In this role you will:

• Conduct research in statistics with applications to intelligence analysis.
• Develop methods enabling AI models to identify data subsets with the greatest potential to reduce predictive uncertainty.
• Build on techniques in explainability, interpretability and uncertainty quantification.
• Contribute to dissemination and engagement activities for the AiTASHA project.

We welcome applications from candidates who:

• Have research expertise in statistics with a strong mathematical foundation.
• Have experience in AI, machine learning or deep learning, and modern computational tools.
• Can collaborate with a close-knit research team and with partners.

The successful candidate must be eligible in principle for UK security clearance, for example through British citizenship or a minimum of five years’ UK residency. Further details are available on the UK Government security vetting website. Applicants will be asked to provide nationality information and residency history as part of the process.

This is a full-time (35 hours per week) fixed-term post for 14 months, starting 1 August or soon thereafter.

Salary: £41,064 – £46,049 per annum (Grade 6).

The role is eligible for blended working, combining on-campus and remote working where appropriate. Cardiff University offers excellent benefits and progression opportunities and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

For an informal discussion, please contact Prof Jon Gillard (gillardjw@cardiff.ac.uk) or Prof Maggie Chen (chenj60@cardiff.ac.uk).

Closing date: Tuesday, 17 March 2026